Hi guys,
Its been a couple of years since I was here last. My old account (kempoguy) got closed, so Im back with a new user name.
This is a great topic that I have thought about on quite a few occasions.
Its hard to quantify the why as Ive gone through many phases in my training. Just so you have a little bit of background of my training let me say that Ive been involved in MA in one form or another for about 29 years (relatively consistently).
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Ive moved a lot which has allowed me to experience a wide variety of arts. Ive always had an affinity with Martial Arts and trained whenever and wherever I could. Many times I didnt have a choice as to what 'style' I trained in, as there simply wasnt a lot to choose from where I was at the time. So I trained where training was available
My first introduction to Martial Arts was in Kendo and Judo when I was six years old. Since then Ive been around the block and have had some level of training in TKD, Western Boxing, Kyokushinkai, Traditional Jujutsu, Kempo (Hawaiian Kempo), Neijia (Tai Ji and Ba Gua along with a smattering of Xing Yi) , EPAK, JKD, BJJ and a couple of other arts
so yes, I admit that Im a dabbler. Just for some clarity, some of these arts I trained in for several years (Kempo and Neijia in particular) and none of the ones listed have I trained in for less than a period of 2 years.
In any event, when I was a kid I trained because my friends where involved and it was just for fun. Didnt care about trophies, rank, self-development or any of that
During my teens through my mid-twenties getting rank became a little more important as well as the vigorousness and the physicality of training, hence my Kyokushinkai and Kempo training (fwiw, my Kempo training was really harsh training). Training to fight (or learning how to fight) was never really an issue. I figured it was a by-product of good hard training.
After HS I was part of an exchange program to Japan where I continued my training in Kyokushinkai and also got some exposure to traditional Japanese Jujutsu (Gendai Bugei), which really created my on-going interest and affinity with the subject of "Hoplology" (see below).
In my late twenties I got involved with Neijia (Tai Ji and Ba Gua, and Xing Yi to a lesser degree), sort of by accident, and got intrigued with learning proper body mechanics, relaxation, along with some of the health aspects. Since then Ive continued to learn and research body mechanics, principles of movement etc. During this time I continued to train in Kempo as well.
A few years back, several of my buddies, who at the time were all into what they called functional martial arts, got me started in BJJ, Muay Thai and JKD/C. Due to time constraints I discontinued my Kempo training at this point (although I continued my Neijia training). I started getting a deeper interest in self-defense and the realities thereof; and this type of training really opened my eyes as to whats workable
After about three years of this type of training I eventually figured out that it wasnt really my cup of tea (particularly because of several injuries sustained during this period of time).
Over the past year Ive been unable to train due to an injury, but kept up my Tai Ji and meditative practices. Since Ive had some time to contemplate some of my past training, Ive come to realize that applicability in self-defense at this stage of my life is not of utmost importance (although its always in the back of my mind).
What Im concerned about is training in something that can be practiced regardless of age in an art that offers sound principles with efficiency in technique. For what it's worth, I also find the subject of Hoplology, the study of the evolution and development of human combative behavior, of great interest and have studied this in some depth.
Another interesting aspect of training for me is what the Japanese call Ningen Keisei, character building. The main principle of this being perseverance, i.e. never giving up even when discouraged. Another explanation of this could be that: your training is about unceasing training... How you practice the art rather than what one practices is the primary purpose of training.
And finally, the training has to be enjoyable! This particular part of training has never changed.
Sorry for the long post.
KG
